U.S. Department Of Energy BNL Announces Commack Middle School Winner of Regional Science Bowl

Commack Middle School Wins Regional Science Bowl

Students from Commack Middle School placed first in the Regional Science Bowl at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Brookhaven National Laboratory.  Commack’s “team one” narrowly won out over R.C. Murphy Junior High School’s “team one” during the March 3 competition’s tense final round.  Students from 11 Long Island middle schools participated in the fast-paced question-and-answer tournament designed to test students’ knowledge of mathematics, life sciences, physical sciences, earth sciences, and general science.
The competition was sponsored by Brookhaven Science Associates, the company that manages and operates the Laboratory for the U.S. Department of Energy.

Longwood Junior High School’s “team two” and Hunter College High School’s “team two” came in third and fourth place, respectively.  

The day’s activities also included a riveting model electric car challenge, wherein students raced cars they constructed on mini raceways.  Lawrence Middle School placed first, with its car speeding down the track in 5.03 seconds.   Our Lady of the Hamptons Regional Catholic School placed second, with its car completing its run in 5.25 seconds.  Bellport Middle School placed third, with a time of 5.50 seconds. R.C. Murphy Junior High School “team three” was recognized for “Best Car Design.”

For the academic champions, the competition continues.  As regional champions, the Commack Middle School team moves on to the National Science BowlT coordinated by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science, to be held in Washington, D.C., April 26 - 30, 2012.
Each student on the winning teams received a medal, and each winning academic team received a trophy for its school. 

By taking part in the “Jeopardy”-style academic contest and model electric car challenge, students are encouraged to excel in science and math and to pursue careers in those fields.

Gratulation! Es war gut!

“Sprachfest 2012”

“Events like this are very important to show students that commonalities exist, not just here on Long Island, but across the State and even other countries…” Ed Ehmann, Superintendent of Smithtown Schools.

Sallie Culloton and Ed EhmannOn Saturday, March 3, 2012, Accompsett Middle School hosted the 23^rd Annual Sprachfest. The event was run by Smithtown High School West LOTE (Languages other than English) and AATG (American Association of Teachers of German).  Sallie Culloton, a teacher at Smithtown High School and President of the Long Island Chapter of AATG, was the host along with Samantha Specht, Joel Sidwell and Accompsett students.

“Sprachfest 2012” is an event that brought together students from nine school districts across Long Island. The annual event provides students a fun forum to compete in events including: (German) Vocabulary Bee, Geography Bee, Scrabble and Culture Bowl.  In addition to competitive events there were opportunities for students to celebrate the richness of the German language and its culture by participating in instrumental, vocal, poetry and folk dance events.

According to Ms. Culloton many of the students, but not all who take German as a foreign language have relatives or descendants who originate in Germany. Germany is increasingly becoming a big factor in our global society and especially within the European Union. Kids today who follow current events are aware of the role Germany is playing in the European Union and the financial crisis. Some like what they hear about Germany and choose to study German.

Included in the group of people having a link to Germany is Superintendent of Smithtown schools Ed Ehmann. “The attendance here is impressive… I spent two years in Germany.  I was drafted in 1971 by the US Army and was sent to Augsburg, Germany.  It’s a beautiful country and the Germans are wonderful people.”

According to the AATG almost 300 students and teachers were expected to attend. There were nine school districts represented and sixteen schools. In addition there were volunteers from the community and parents who worked together to create a greater understanding and appreciation for German culture. 

“It’s important that these students are eager to learn other languages and about other cultures.  Aside from the importance of language study in a global economy, as human beings we share many similarities.  And it’s wonderful that these students see those similarities and have a chance to share those similarities with other kids” said Mr. Ehmann.

There was something for everyone: food, competition, singing, dancing and the very popular “scrabble”.

Of course it could not happen without the volunteers, and there were many! Mr. Ehmann was appreciative of all the work that went into Sprachfest 2012 and credited Sallie Culloton for its success. “It’s also great that the teachers go above and beyond to come out on a Saturday and help ensure the success of such a great event.” 

Women's History Month - Senator Olympia J. Snowe

Senator Olympia J. Snowe - Elected to Congress in 1978. She was the youngest Republican woman to serve in Congress and the first Greek-American Woman woman in Congress.  In 1994 she was elected to the U.S. Senate becoming the first woman in American history to serve in both houses of a state legislature and both houses of Congress. In 2001 Senator Snowe became the first Republican woman ever to secure a full-term seat on the most powerful of committee’s the Senate Finance Committee.

Senator Snowe also made history as the fourth female to ever serve on the Senate Armed Services Committee. She became the first woman Senator to chair the Subcommittee on Sea-power overseeing the Navy and Marine Corps.  She is a voice for women on issues related to women in military and shipbuilding.

Senator Snowe co-chaired the Congressional Caucus on women’s issues for ten years and helped establish the Office of women’s Health at the National Institutes of Health.  She also served as a member of the House Budget Committee: of House Foreign Affairs Committee (ranking Republican on the subcommittee on International Operations)

Senator Snowe has announced her intentions to leave the Senate at the end of her term.  The Senator’s reputation is that of an intelligent woman who is not controlled by political ideology.  Listening, learning and looking for real solutions is the way she approached issues. 

Senator Snow is leaving because of the dysfunction in our Federal Government. Click here for Washington Post Article 

Sandra Fluke - Making History

Sandra Fluke was not permitted to speak at the congressional hearing discussion on women’s reproductive health and access to contraception.  The third year law student at Georgetown University was invited by Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi to speak before a smaller committee hearing.  Sandra Fluke was professional in her presentation and has endured public ridicule from conservative commentator Rush Limbaugh who called Sandra a “slut” and a “prostitute”. Sandra Fluke stepped up to the plate to defend her beliefs and principles -  this is what Americans are supposed to do.Sandra Fluke making history in 2012 when women are once again being called on to defend access to contraception.

Update on Monday, March 5, 2012 at 9:21AM by .

According to the NY Times in an Associated Press Report Seven Advertisers have pulled their support for the Rush Limbaugh Radio Show. Click Here for NY Times Article

Temple Beth Sholom Looking to Share Its Facility and Expand Its Congregation

By Chad Kushins

Photo by Jennifer M. KleiIn the hopes of remaining in its Edgewood Avenue location, Smithtown’s Temple Beth Shalom is currently in negotiations to sell its structure and merge with an outside church. The reason for the proposal is complex but partly due to the loss of a catering business that had formerly co-existed within the standing building – and amid rumors of closing or re-locating – temple officials remain adamant that current negotiations are rather, efforts to expand the temple’s congregation.

“Yes, we are in the process of being sold and are in negotiations,” Director of Building and Grounds for the temple, Richard Rafle, told Smithtown Matters.  “It’s way too soon to say we have sold already, but we hope to merge with a church and are planning to stay [at the location].”

While Rafle was unable to provide details of what type of church is currently being sought for such a merger, the director did emphasize “inaccuracies” and rumors that quickly circulated upon the February 15^th announcement of the temple’s property sale.  According to Rafle, while it is correct that the caterer –located within the temple (and assisted in the paying the property’s rent) has left– their recent departure did not cause a search for a new temple location, nor an outright closure of the temple, as local residents believed. 

“The temple is not going to be moving,” Rafle continued.  “We hope to re-build our congregation even larger and even stronger.  We had originally co-habitated in the building with a caterer, but all we’re planning now is a similar arrangement with a church.”

Located on 4.4 acres at 433 Edgewood Ave in Smithtown, Temple Beth Sholom was initially founded in 1956. The temple community has a reputation as a “progressive conservative congregation” that welcomes people from outside the congregation regardless of religious affiliation. This means that a merger with another, separate religious organization could prove feasible once negotiations are met.  Currently, the temple’s weekly services are led by Rabbi Jonathan Waxman, a rabbi with over 33 years experience as a community leader, and Cantor Judy Merrick, who has co-led the services since 2006. 

Although enthusiastic about the prospect of expanding the congregation, Waxman opted not to comment publically until a prospective sale is finalized.

According to Rafle, under no circumstances is the temple considering closing.

“Our overall plan is to sell the current facility to another religious organization and then make our arrangements to also stay,” said Temple Beth Sholom Board of Trustees Director Dr. Shafer Zysman.  “The main thing is that we are a congregation with diverse ages and backgrounds, so really, we’re re-organizing to suit our needs.  Of course, after the sale, the intention is to stay where we are – but this congregation and community would be strong anywhere.”

According to both Rafle and Zysman, a major meeting regarding the property sale is slated to take place this week, although details are still being kept under wraps until negotiations are complete.

Zysman added, “The main focus is that there is never a dissolution of this community, and that Judaism has a presence in Smithtown.”